Dinner With the Girls

Hello there!

Another weekend has come and gone. I feel like the weeks just flies by! I went out for a little dinner with the girls yesterday. I really needed this!!!

Thank you Johanna Denebi for taking these photos, because I failed miserably at the mirror selfies :) Also, check out her blog at jdenebi.com

We choose the tasting menu with 7 courses (!!!). It was delicious, but a little more food than I could handle. The funny part was that we all thought we were waiting for desert when the main dish arrived. I looked at the meat and for a second I thought the meat was chocolate. Haha! Took me a moment to adjust and eat. The actual dessert is pictured below.

Me and beautiful Ida!

Thank you girls for such a fun evening!

I’ve been considering getting a dog for a while, but yesterday I met Klas and Ida’s cat. I usually keep a little bit of distance to cats, (would say I’m almost a little scared to get scratched and for them to arrive with a mouse in their mouth). Then I met Morris. Now I feel like I need a cat, this cat specifically! I signed up as their cat sitter for starters. Such a social, cosy and beautiful guy!!!

This morning one of my singing groups, Soulful Kids in Bromma, sang in church. They did such a good job! I’m so proud!

Okay, tomorrow is Monday and a new week! I hope you’ll have a great one!

Love,

Johanna

Top Twenty From Twenty Nineteen

Hi there!

Tomorrow is new years eve, and before I’m all set for 2020 I wanna say goodbye properly to 2019 with a top twenty from the year. I’m actually not ranking the moments, but my number one is my number one!

20. Cali

Sunny Cali never lets me let down. I always love to go back to the city of angels, to go to concerts, see my friends and get musically inspired.

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19. So many fun moments with this one, I could pick any!

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18. Singing for George Clooney

I know this is not George in this picture, cause it’s actually the fantastic Andre De Lange that I got to sing together with a couple of times this year, backed up by Putte Nelssons lovely choir “Team Putte”. Here’s at the City Hall where George Clooney was the keynote speaker.

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17. Changing up my kitchen

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To the left is the before picture, (I hope you figured that one out without the explanation). Since it was brand new when I moved in I didn’t want to change it completely (I wanted to but I felt too bad about it for several reasons). It really lacked charm and personality. What I did was to just change it up a bit and now I really like my kitchen. I got the fridge out pretty fast and sold it online to somebody who was happy to get a brand new fridge for a cheap price. Instead I put a Smeg in. (It’s the second time I buy a Smeg fridge and I love it.) Then I just changed the door handles to leather ones, the sink and tap to brass colored ones, and the countertop to one in granite color. That’s it!

16. Pretty winter days

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15. Celebrating sweet Anna’s big 40

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14 … and here just a summer lunch together!

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13. One of the fun nights out with the fabulous four!

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12. Singing at the “Show the Way” Gala

11. Singing with Petter

10. Girl talk with my lil’ niece Scarlett.

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9. Boating with Eriks brother and wife!

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8. Fishing with the boys

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7. When all of our families got together so celebrate our engagement!

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6. Our weekend up in Sälen celebrating Christian’s big 40.

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5. Soulful Voices

So proud of my choir Soulful Voices! It’s been an incredible year, and I can’t wait to get started again in a month!

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4. Here’s when we performed at the Stockholm City Hall.

3. Christmas!

This year we celebrated with my whole family, and our last year as an engaged couple!

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2. Greece with my baby!

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1. Getting engaged!

Of course my number one is the night Erik proposed to me. We were celebrating my birthday, and Erik had prepared a trip for me and kept it all a secret until we got there. I had a feeling something was going on because during dinner he was obviously nervous. He’s not the clumsy kind of guy, but he kept on spilling his food, and all of a sudden he started singing “going to the chapel, gonna get married”. Not a song he usually hums on, and that made me really suspicious. After dinner he took me out to the veranda and got down on one knee and proposed. Of course I said yes, and 2020 we’re getting married, and I can’t wait.

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Goodbye 2019, and hello 2020 - the year I’ll be getting married. More about that on the blog in a couple of weeks! Happy New Year folks!

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Greece Recap

Hi!

I went to Zakynthos in Greece a couple of weeks ago, and I’d love to share some thoughts and pictures with you. In case you’re thinking about going to Greece, or to Zakynthos specifically, I hope this will be helpful for you!

On our way to Zakynthos we made a quick visit to Athens. First of all, I was so surprised by all the marble in Athens, so gorgeous!

If you’re into history you’ll appreciate Athens. On picture number 1 you have Acropolis of Athens. On picture number 2 you have the prison of Socrates. On picture number 3 you have the location for where the Olympic Games started, and on picture number 4 you have the armor you can buy to prove that you’ve been to a tourist shop in Athens!

My only regret was that we didn’t stay over for a night. As we were walking around, I only had a little backpack with me, but it was way too hot to carry anything. I never felt more in need of a shower than when we finally got to the hotel at Zakynthos, haha!

Thank you babe for carrying my backpack as well!l

As you all probably know, Greece is a super popular tourist destination. I actually didn’t mind, it was kind of a fun game to guess where people were from. When I first booked our hotel, I booked one in Zakynthos city, but then changed to another hotel outside of the city. I’m super happy about that because although Zakynthos city was a nice place, it’s very touristy and busy with, yes, tourists.

When I travel, I really don’t want to waste my time accidentally going to the “wrong” places or in this case, “wrong” beaches. I think we found some really awesome destinations. Here’s my review of some beaches we visited.

1. Kalamaki Beach

This is where we stayed at Zakynthos, and I really liked it. It’s a peaceful resort 7 km from the town of Zakynthos. It has plenty of restaurants but the night life is pretty quiet, (which is what I prefer) The beach is also a production place for the famous Caretta sea turtles. There’s turtle nests on the beach, and if you’re lucky you might see some turtles.

2. Laganas

I liked Laganas until I didn’t like it. It’s cute to walk over the bridge to the little island . (You pay an entrance fee about 5 euros). It’s a cool beach etc , but it was super crowded. We hung out there for about an hour, and then we walked over to Agrilia beach. It was very peaceful for a few hours.

It all of a sudden it turned into a CRAZY beach party. Seriously not my cup of tea. That’s when we went back to the hotel and hung out at the wonderful pool.

3. Vasilikos

AMZING beach! Love love loved it! If you want action, this is not for you. But if you’re like me and love a beautiful peaceful beach with a stunning view, this is definitely for you!

Lunch with a view…

4. Porto Limnionas

Maybe we got there on a extra busy day, we weren’t even able to get sun chairs because it was so crowded, but what a gorgeous beach. If you get there around 10am you should be fine. Awesome for snorkeling. Would not recommend this place if you have very young kids, or if you’re having trouble walking. It’s pretty steep, and it’s kind of tricky to get in the water.

5. Porto Azzuro Vassilikos

Another really awesome beach that I highly recommend. It’s also the only beach we went to, that had a little bit of waves, which was nice when I was on my little mattress.

Okay guys, that’s it for this time! Hope you enjoyed it. Thank you so much for reading!

Love,

Johanna

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

Happy Holidays!

Hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas! Right now I’m sitting by the fire in a comfy couch writing to you. Like every year, the time leading up to Christmas can be very stressful. I keep on feeling exhausted about it, but in a way I guess I’m lucky… There’s probably people who wish they had someone to buy a gift for and to get to worry if they are gonna like it or not, and who wish they had a job to stress about. Actually, what I’m extra grateful for this year, is that I felt present in the moment. I’m pretty sure there’s a few more of you who can relate to being there but not actually being there. This year felt really special for several reasons, so I’d like to share some photos from my Christmas.

First off, we spent Christmas eve at my parents house. They live out on the countryside and it looked lovely out, while the sun was setting.

Mom always does such a great job with all the food. I don’t know how I could ever make that happen!!! I also really like the way she decorated the table! (Photobombed by dad).

I didn’t get to celebrate Christmas with my niece and nephew last year, so I felt lucky to get to do that this year!

For as long as I can remember, dad has always played Heinzelmännchens Wachtparade. A Christmas without it wouldn’t be the same!

The days before Christmas was amazingly beautiful. Couldn’t stop snapping pictures instead of working. It looks like a bit like a skiing resort. Love it. Snow makes everything so pretty… during winter time I shall add :)

Okay, Christmas was really lovely this year… Now onto New Years eve! I gotta finish the plans for the menu, how to decorate and the choice of dress.

Happy New Year!

Love,

Johanna

Don't Let September Slip

Hi all!

How’s the weekend been? Mine has been really great, thanks for asking!

September is really such an amazing month. Years ago I even made a playlist called September with songs to listen to during September because I was so pumped (starting with Earth Wind and Fires “September” of course). September is to great to just slip away. I made a list with things that I think you should do before September is over.

1. Make that first move towards the new project you want to set into motion.

For me September, and the start of fall, means new beginnings. New ideas and inspirations sets in during summer, and I start making plans in August. Then, as soon I get back into work, my mind gets too busy and those ideas tend to fade. It’s easy to find excuses and find the time to get started with new projects. I find it so hard to make that first step sometimes. I’m guessing I’m not alone. But I think this fall could be different. Let’s dig up those ideas and set them in motion. Maybe it’s getting that renovation or home decorating project started, or getting a work-out rutin started. Maybe you want to start up a new business and need to take that first brave step towards getting started. Experts tells us to write down those plans and set dates and have time frames for when things should get accomplished. Instead of finding excuses for not getting started, let’s do just that.

2. Enjoy nature.

Number one was demanding, that’s why I think we should also just enjoy life and nature. Let’s take those long walks, sit outdoors with a coffee in our hand and just be in the moment. On Sundays I go to church and I deceied that I will, either before or after, take walks. It’s a must to enjoy before it get’s to crazy cold to be outside without layers and layers of clothes to prevent from dying from cold.

3. Don’t dress like it’s winter quite yet.

Okay, I love black, but can we wait just a little while before we wear all black, grey and beige? I was people watching a little bit yesterday, and I saw people in black outfits, and even in scarfs and mittens… Depending on where you live, if it’s not at freezing point, don’t go there just yet. I even think you could still use some of your colourful cute summer outfits and mix them with some fallish stuff. Like a dress over a pair of jeans. It still rocks.

4. Get yourself flowers and plants!

One of my favourite things about this season is the colours of all flowers, plants and trees. I struggle to find space for all the beautiful plants I buy, but I can’t stop myself. I have to have them. I’ll find them a place eventually.

5. Turn the TV off and get yourself a great book.

Why? Because I told you so! Seriously, there’s nothing like a great book, a nice cup of tea with some candles burning. That’s why we love the fall, right! It makes you sleep better too, to read before you got to bed. It’s an awesome way to relax when the demands of work and fall makes you stressed out.

Before I go, here’s some highlights from the weekend. Dressing up because I suddenly felt the need to, all in black although I just said I think we shouldn’t. Oh well..

…and dinner with this beautiful friend!

Love,

Johanna